Eteng Rajuno has made history by becoming the first student to bag a First Class in Radiography at the University of Calabar (UNICAL). She was honoured at the eighth Induction and Oath taking of the College of Medical Science. STANLEY UCHEGBU (Accounting) reports.
The induction at the College of Medical Science of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) was remarkable. Although it was the eighth oath taking at the Radiography and Radiological Sciences departments, it was special. An inductee, Ms Eteng Rejuno, made history by bagging a first class, the first since Radiography was introduced in the school in 1981.
It was a moment of joy for the graduates, as they took the oath. The inductees filed into the Conference Centre of the UNICAL Hotel venue, beaming with smiles. They were joined by their family members and friends.
Of the lot admitted into the department five years ago, 61 were lucky to complete the programme. To the management, the ceremony was a turning point in the history of the institution and the Radiography Department.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof James Epoke, led other principal officers, including the Medical Science Provost, Prof Saturday Etuk, represented by his deputy, Prof Edisua Itam; Dean of the Faculty of Allied Medical Science, Prof Anne Asuquo and Dean of the Faculty of the Clinical Science, Prof Maurice Asuquo.
Others were Registrar, Radiography Board of Nigeria (RBN), Mr Michael Okpaleke, Cross River State Chairman of Association of Radiographers of Nigeria, Mr. Otu Asinyang, Medical College Secretary, Mrs. Uduak Akang, Head of Radiography Department, Dr Nneoyi Egbe, lecturers and medical practitioners, among others.
Prof Epoke urged the inductee not to tarnish the reputation of the profession, saying the institution was known for producing sound radiographers. He told the inductees to shun unethical practices that may erode the value of the profession, adding that the RBN would not hesitate to withdraw certificates of erring members.
“Today, history is made in the Department of Radiography. We produced the first student to be graduated with a First Class in the department. And this makes the event remarkable. I will enjoin you to always seek knowledge and make the best of your career,” he said.
Prof Etuk, whose speech was read by Prof Itam, described radiography as an evolving profession, stressing the need for constant update of knowledge to meet up with challenges and demands. He urged the inductees to see themselves as new breeds that would bring about advancement in the profession.
Okpaleke advised the graduates to improve on the knowledge they acquired in school and be conversant with new techniques. He said: “Knowledge you have acquired is just the foundation, you are expected to improve on it. You must be abreast of trends on the field and make a success of it. You need to continuously develop yourself in new techniques because the practice of today is different from what we had in the years past.”
In his lecture entitled: Ethical basis for improving radiography service delivery, Dr Egbe demonstrated with diagrams how to maintain radiation dose and therapeutic need of patients in line with best practice. He said a radiographer owed a patient an enhanced service.
The high point was the oath taking session, which was performed by Okpaleke and Dr Egbe.
Eteng had Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.5 – the highest recorded since the institution started awarding Bachelor degree in the discipline. For the feat, Eteng bagged seven honours, including automatic employment in the school after her National Youth Service.
Others best students are Emmanuel Agiande, who was the best in clinical proficiency, and Mabington Okwuonu, best in leadership creativity.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Eteng praised the department’s lecturers and parents for their efforts in making their dreams come true.
She said: “We thank the management, the college authorities, our parents, friends and well-wishers for the roles they played in ensuring that we are being inducted today. We specially appreciate our parents for their financial and moral support.”
The inductees presented gifts to their lecturers and donated a generator to the department. This was done by Mabington, a former president of Nigerian Association of Radiography Students.
http://thenationonlineng.net/new/history-as-girl-bags-first-class-in-radiography-at-unical/
